Justice Haynes, Waymond Jordan injury update: Michigan, USC stars hurt in first half of Big Ten showdown

Morgan Moriarty

Justice Haynes, Waymond Jordan injury update: Michigan, USC stars hurt in first half of Big Ten showdown image

The USC Trojans are in a big road test against the Michigan Wolverines on Saturday night. Both teams entered the game 4-1, looking for statement wins in the Big Ten. 

Unfortunately for both offenses, their two star running backs suffered injuries in the first half. Michigan running back Justice Haynes and USC's Waymond Jordan both went down with injuries before halftime. Haynes and Jordan entered the game as the Big Ten's two top leading rushers. 

Here's what happened to the star running backs, and what their statuses could be for the remainder of Saturday night's game.

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What happened to Justice Haynes? 

Haynes was seen entering the team's medical tent with an apparent rib injury in the second quarter. He was seen holding his left ribs and did not return to the field as the Wolverines scored a touchdown with 3:09 left in the half r to tie the game up at 7. 

Shortly after Haynes went into the medical tent,  headed for the locker room. 

The injury would be a big blow to Michigan's offense. Haynes had already logged 51 yards on 10 carries before the injury and coming into this game, Haynes led the Wolverines in rushing with 654 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. 

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What happened to Waymond Jordan? 

Jordan's injury occurred not long after Haynes' as the USC running back hobbled off the field after taking a hit. He was later carted off to the locker room. 

Jordan had rushed for 39 yards on 11 carries in the game before the injury and has led USC in rushing so far this season, with 537 yards on 77 carries and five touchdowns. 

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Who are Haynes and Jordan's backups?  

USC has turned to redshirt freshman King Miller. Miller has rushed for 152 yards with two touchdowns so far his season. 

Meanwhile, Michigan is using sophomore Jordan Marshall, who has 233 yards rushing with three touchdowns so far this season. 

We'll see if either of the star running backs can get healthy enough to return in the second half.  

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Morgan Moriarty